Growing up as a 10 y/o in Brooklyn, my buds and me used to take the subway to Ebbets Field and see the Dodgers a year before they moved. We would get there a few hours before the game and wait for the players to park nose-in against the stadium. They would sign autographs (we would bring our baseball cards and programs) and sometimes give us balls. Furillo, Hodges, Amoros, Gilliam and the big star, Duke Snider were all terrific, as were several other players. Never saw Robinson or Koufax up close, though.

We would almost always sit on the first base side so we could be close to Kluszewski or Musial when the Redlegs or Cards came to town. It was there that I first learned of the NY fans' ability to respect other players...we loved both Klu and Stosh. I am glad to see that kind of respect for talented, decent ballplayers continue.

I'm sure this happens in other cities (I would guess, though, NOT in Philadelphia). Can any of you tell me if that happens elsewhere?